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FLORIDA KICKS OFF DISABILITY MENTORING DAY 2008

(October 2, 2008)

ORLANDO, Fla. (October 2, 2008) – Florida's Disability Mentoring Day was jump started this year with a career fair for high school and college students with disabilities. More than 500 students participated, taking advantage of this opportunity to attend informative workshops, practice interviewing and writing resumes and interact with statewide and national businesses and professionals.

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the country's largest national cross-disability membership organization, sponsors Disability Mentoring Day. The Able Trust, also known as the Florida Governor's Alliance for the Employment of People with Disabilities, chairs the statewide Disability Mentoring Day planning committee that hosts the Florida event. Harris Rosen, President of Rosen Hotels, served as the Honorary Chair Florida's kick-off event.

"It is an honor to be a part of such a worthwhile program," said Harris Rosen, President of Rosen Hotels and Honorary Chair for Florida's Disability Mentoring Day event. "Disability Mentoring Day plays a pivotal role in providing all individuals with the skills and opportunities for success."

Disability Mentoring Day is a nationally coordinated job shadowing opportunity for students and jobseekers with disabilities. Disability Mentoring Day will be commemorated across the country on October 15, 2008, in honor of Disability Employment Awareness Month. Participants are matched with professionals based on their career interests and spend the day with mentors observing job responsibilities and getting a better understanding of the workplace environment. This program gives participants a chance to learn about the day-to-day responsibilities required of a desired occupation and the skills and education requirements specific to a job in that career field.

Disability Mentoring Day/ ADD TWO

Florida leads the nation in providing mentoring opportunities on Disability Mentoring Day. Last year, nearly 1,400 students, jobseekers, and employer mentors were matched across the state for this unique, one-day job-shadowing opportunity. The experience helps students and job-seekers with disabilities develop the necessary skills and experiences they will need to compete in today's competitive workforce.

"We have received tremendous support from disability agencies and the business community across our state and look forward to continue these relationships to make the 2008 Disability Mentoring Day events an enormous success," says Susanne Homant, President and CEO of The Able Trust.

Employers or organizations wishing to participate in a job shadowing experience for students and jobseekers with disabilities can contact Susanne Homant at (888) 838-2253 or visit the Florida Disability Mentoring Day website at www.floridadmd.org for more information.

About Disability Mentoring Day: Disability Mentoring Day is organized in Florida by The Able Trust, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and a collaboration of statewide disability organizations. In 2007 more than 1,400 mentees with disabilities and employer mentors participated in over 62 cities statewide. DMD is a national initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities. For more information about Florida DMD visit www.floridadmd.org.

About The Able Trust: The Able Trust, also known as the Florida Governor's Alliance for the Employment of Citizens with Disabilities, is a 501(c)(3) public-private partnership foundation established by the Florida Legislature in 1990. Its mission is to be the leader in providing Floridians with disabilities fair employment opportunities through fundraising, grant programs, public awareness and education. Since its establishment, The Able Trust has awarded over $22 million to individuals with disabilities and nonprofit agencies throughout Florida for employment-related purposes, enabling over 2,000 Florida citizens with disabilities to enter the workforce each year. The Able Trust youth programs provide career development and transition to almost 2,000 students with disabilities annually, helping to reduce the dropout rate and prepare young adults for life beyond high school. For more information about The Able Trust, visit www.abletrust.org.